IOD Business Handbook 2001

E-commerce, global competition, privatization, the euro and enlargement, are fundamentally changing the way in which European companies are structures and run. Yet ambitious enterprises seeking to develop business across Europe come across multiple obstacles, risks and costs. Drawing on the Institute of Directors' experience of working with entrepreneurs, this handbook explains how best to structure and implement European business models. Its contributors include Credit Lyonnais, Grant Thornton, Arthur Andersen, KPMG, Deloitte and Touche, Towers Perrin and DHL, and it presents the views of companies such as Trafficmaster and Carphone Warehouse on how to build a pan-European enterprise. Designed to appeal to a wide audience of business readers in both established and growing companies, this is a practical source of reference and advice on developing and resourcing business across Europe.1: Enterprise in Europe; Improving Europe's risk culture; equity culture / shareholder value; corporate Europe rethinks; Europe: key component in growth; Lisbon: reality or rhetoric?; the Spanish enterprise model; rewarding innovation; the euro & price transparency; regulation & constraints; 2: E-Business across Europe; Prospects in 2001; e-commerce by market; pan-European propositions; electronic marketplaces; Europe's ISPs; building European IT architecture; information management; web testing; application service providers; skills shortages; order fulfilment; 3: Funding European business ventures; Sources of seed capital; transformation of banking relationships; transformation of capital markets; electronic trading platforms; growth markets; technology investments; cross-border lending; high-yield bonds; private equity; derivatives; EU funding; 4: European growth models; Product launches; rolling out services; representation & alliances; capitalising on intellectual property; market leadership; flotations; acquisitions; buy-outs; relocations; 5: European deal structures; Competition; convergence in corporate governance; tax; property; the European company; risk management; Europe's top advisors; 6: Human resources in Europe; Flexibility; pay; benefits & incentives; recruitment; health care; working time; 7: Markets in 2001; Outlook in leading EU markets; the Nordic renaissance; the candidate countries